I consider it joy and a pure blessing that recent readings of the Resurrection narratives place a heavy emphasis on the faith of the women who came to the tomb and discovered that it was empty. There is much to unpack. Too much for this space. Without going into great detail, I must first bring attention to the heart and devotion these women had for Jesus. Given the brutality of Jesus’ execution and the emotional trauma, we can only marvel that these women
went to the tomb to see the body of Jesus. We have no clue what they expected to see, but I think we all believe they had no clue that they would experience an earthquake, a descending angel and a supernatural removal of the stone that sealed the tomb. Can someone say, “surprise”?
I don’t think the women were in a mood for surprises. Perhaps they believed a visit to the tomb would secure them some peace or momentum toward healing. Perhaps they thought going to the tomb would help them to “move on”. Their love and commitment to their rabbi was on full display. Their faith and devotion led them to be the first witnesses of God’s most powerful work. Their faith and devotion afforded them to blessing of having their fears met with God’s surprise.
What frightens you? What paralyzes you with fear? God may be giving you the help and strength to overcome your fear. Or He may be prepping you for some big surprise that will ultimately lead you to forget that which you were originally afraid. Both of these women found themselves the recipients of a surprise that would alter the course of the world. In the space below, write a prayer regarding one of your greatest fears. Ask God to meet your fear with His surprises. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and devotion. After you experience a “God” surprise, go and tell somebody.
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”